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Our planet is under strain, however there is hope. A fresh honor from the interdisciplinary festival Starmus seeks to encourage the public to make a difference.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name will honor in honour of the celebrated scientist and conservationist who died recently. It is designed to celebrate those who protect the natural world.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients are expected to be announced during the Starmus VIII festival in Tenerife and La Palma, which will run from 17–22 October the coming year.

According to statements that Jane Goodall, a former member of the festival's board, had backed the medal's establishment. “The vision behind this medal, and Starmus being entrusted to oversee it, was Jane's wish,” a statement said. “She said she would like this to happen. And I think because of the close relationship she had with us.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal will acknowledge ongoing initiatives carried out to make our world a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and provide encouragement for the continuation such efforts,” said a family member.

Structure and Vision

A co-founder of the festival noted that the medal – unveiled at a scientific institution – would probably include several divisions.

“It’s going to be modeled after the Stephen Hawking award for science communication established a decade past,” it was explained. Goodall was an honoree of that award.

Expressing concern on the outlook of the planet, one figure said, “Frankly, it’s very hard to feel hopeful. Certain policies in one major nation is conducting a dismissal of evidence. So this significantly hampers the world’s efforts.”

“To be honest, the situation appears very good which means we need to really start thinking again, more deeply about the consequences of human activity. And that’s not just global warming, but also the entire manner in which we interact with our environment.”

Following an Example

Therefore, it was noted it was an opportune moment to follow her guiding principles. “It is believed that in bestowing the prize, the focus will be on this core philosophy that Jane embodied – that was her foremost concern, to transform the way we treat the other animals with which we share the planet.”

A major topic currently is the proliferation of false information. The central topic of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“There is a recognition that factual reality has become contested where political interests are involved. This is an alarming trend,” it was said. “The climate science remains a scientific discipline; it is impossible to have any influence from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The hope remains that this honor will inspire positive change. “The purpose is encouraging people to participate and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, really. Whether or not we feel hopeful, we must look at working all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still continue striving toward success.”

A descendant involved in environmental protection expressed hope that “with guidance and once enabled, humans can be conscientious guardians of our planet”, citing the work of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers young people get involved with their community, wildlife, and environment.

“As my late grandmother repeatedly emphasized, the choices we make each day are significant and it is up to us the kind of difference we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will offer support and raise awareness regarding the positive actions currently in progress.”